News24 | Three killed, two injured in Pretoria shootout with cops

Three people were killed in a shootout with police in Pretoria.

• Three suspects have been killed in a shootout with police in Atteridgeville.
• Another two were injured and taken to hospital.
• Police were pursuing a group of suspected hijackers when the shootout took place.

Three people have been killed and another two injured during a shootout with the police in Pretoria.

The incident took place on Tuesday night in Atteridgeville, said police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.

“This comes after SAPS Highway Patrol, with the assistance of private security companies, operationalised intelligence information about a group of suspects involved in hijackings around Pretoria. The team was strategically placed to be on the lookout for the suspects’ vehicle, which was then spotted,” Nevhuhulwi said.

“Upon trying to stop the vehicle, the suspects sped off, leading to a high-speed chase and shootout between the police and suspects.”

Three of the suspects were declared dead at the scene. Another two were taken to hospital with injuries, Nevhuhulwi said.

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Three unlicensed firearms with ammunition, signal jammers, hand gloves and balaclavas, including the vehicle, were confiscated.

A police investigation was under way, Nevhuhulwi added.

Earlier this month, a dramatic shootout in Atteridgeville ended with the death of a security officer, who allegedly opened fire on police officers.

Police then discovered a woman’s body, believed to be the security officer’s girlfriend, inside the residence.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the incident unfolded when police officers from the Atteridgeville police station were carrying out routine crime prevention patrols in the area. Officers heard gunfire and tracked it to a nearby house.

“As they approached the house, a male came out and started shooting at the police, who returned fire. The suspect was fatally shot. Upon searching the house, police discovered the body of a female with gunshot wounds,” Masondo said.

She was later identified as his girlfriend and had sustained gunshot wounds.